Shower Valve Assembly/Locking Nut

We discovered a slight leak from the connector/locking nut at our shower valve. It seems the leak was because of a slight crack in the connector/locking nut piece. This was installed by the previous homeowner about 12 years ago, so we think it has been slowly leaking since then.

Our plumber took a look at it and said that the shower valve assembly is one by Newport Brass, but it has been discontinued. So, he said our only option now is to replace the whole shower valve assembly. Is this right? It seems a little odd that we can't just get a new connector/locking nut piece, but he said those are specific to the shower valve assembly and can't just be replaced with another one. Any advice?

If we do have to replace the shower valve assembly, he said that we need to get an Altmans OW22. I haven't had any luck with finding that piece, so if any one knows how to go about finding it, I'd appreciate tips on that too.

Thanks!

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Shower Valve Assembly/Locking Nut

Need to first go back and add your location to your profile, hard to suggest what brand to buy when you could be from anyplace on the planet.
There's no picture or exact model so hard to know if there's still parts avalible.
Just from your decription it's hard to even know what part it is your talking about.

Shower Valve Assembly/Locking Nut

No idea what a connector/locking nut piece is. Is it on the water inlet or the valve stem?
I just googled altmans and its an 8" spread valve- Is that correct? There are several brands available. Must be his preference.
At any rate- if it's cracked and not made any more then a replacement valve is probably your next choice.

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Shower Valve Assembly/Locking Nut

It is an 8" spread, but according to my plumber, this is the only one that will fit the trim.

The piece that is broken on ours is called the connector and lock nut in the Altman's instructions (pieces 2 and 3 on page 4). I'll try to post a picture of the one we have later today.

What I don't understand is why that piece is unique to the shower valve, and if it is for some reason, why Newport Brass doesn't sell just that piece. And yes, Newport Brass is expensive! I'm lucky the previous homeowner installed those fixtures!

Maybe it would be a possibility to have that piece made. Just having that piece replaced would save me a lot of money on the labor to have a whole new valve installed. And, unfortunately, I don't think I have the skills to do it myself.

Shower Valve Assembly/Locking Nut

Quote:

Originally Posted by rookie49

Because it would be a lot less expensive than replacing the whole assembly. Why should I spend a ton of money on having it replaced when it's not broken?

There is no way having a custom part machined up will be cheaper than replacing that valve.
Your plumber is giving you bad advise.
Any 2 handle 8" valve will fit in there and most of them come with trim.

Shower Valve Assembly/Locking Nut

I call that a union. The mating surfaces are unique to the manufacturer. Having one made that will seal will be tough. Now, if just the nut is damaged- you might find a replacement with the proper thread count and interior diameter, etc. good luck

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Shower Valve Assembly/Locking Nut

Well, that explains it! I wish the manufacturers didn't do that. I suppose I do have to have the whole valve replaced then because it is the union that is cracked and not the nut. And I'm stuck with the expensive ones because if I replace the trim, I'd have to replace everything that matches in the bathroom, which would be even more expensive.